Rein in the Spending - 3D PC

Default_Uk

Default_Uk

Default_Uk

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Joined
7 Jul 2010
Posts
20
Hey guys,
I'm in the process of costing out a new PC, mainly for games but also Blu-Ray playback. I have decided to try and build a 3D capable PC as well, mainly for films (all though I am not including the Nvidia 3D kit in my budget). I have come up with a rough draft but want to try and bring the cost down a bit further to the magic £1,000 mark. I would appreciate any advice offered, please see spec below:

newpc.jpg


Because of the 3D requirement, the Monitor is pretty much set in stone, but I can get this slightly cheaper for £280, i'm open to your suggestions, Thanks!
 
To be honest there's not an awful lot you can trim away from that, unless you definitely aren't going to game in 3D (though having now tried it myself, you will want to). I've found a GTX470 is only just about enough to comfortably play games in 3D, though it struggles with Metro at full settings (only around 20fps in 3D, though with DOF and tessellation turned off).
 
This is about as good as I could do:

Basket2.png


I've changed the processor to an AMD 955 BE, and changed the MB to suit (though you could go for a cheaper MB if you're not going to overclock). I've changed the RAM to some better/cheaper OCZ RAM, which runs at CAS8). I've changed the GTX470 to the OcUK one saving nearly £30, but otherwise there's not a lot I could do.

If you aren't planning on doing much 3D gaming, it might be worth seeing what the GTX460 looks like on the 12th.

Also worth a look (and certainly cheaper) would be going down the ATI 3D route. You'd use aftermarket drivers (in the form of iZ3D or TriDef - the TriDef being better for films), as well as an ATI card (and then the MB's Crossfire support could help too), and then I'd suggest Zalman's 3D monitors, which don't require the expensive glasses, but suffer a little from the viewing angles. They do a 24" model, so it's definitely worth a look.
 
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Marvin said:
This is about as good as I could do:
I've changed the GTX470 to the OcUK one saving nearly £30, but otherwise there's not a lot I could do.
Click to expand...

I am giving serious thought to getting a different brand card as this is probably the most expensive for the model. The thing I'm stuck on is that it comes with a lifetime warranty as opposed to the 3 year warranty with most others.

I haven't yet had a Geforce last the lifetime of my computer, mixture of cheaper cards and bad luck I suppose. And with the 3D putting heavy load on the GFX card I was leaning towards the lifetime warranty.

I suppose a 3 year warranty might suffice, if it breaks after that I would probably be more likely to upgrade to a newer card/computer.

Thanks for the advice =)
 
I've run Metro 2033 on my Samsung 2233RZ in 3D on full settings (minus DOF and tessellation, and only AAA), at 1680x1050 on my GTX470 and still get 20-30 fps. Not exactly playable, but there's plenty of room to simply drop the settings a bit (lose DX11 for example).

Default_Uk, It really depends on how long you intend to keep it. Though EVGA also do some kind of trade-in scheme if I remember correctly, and are meant to have really good customer service, so it's up to you. I probably would go with the EVGA if you aren't intending to change cards for a long while.

I would look at the alternative set-up I posted though (the ATI one) if you are intending on viewing films in 3D more than playing games. Don't get me wrong, you can play games in 3D on ATI's stuff, but the aftermarket drivers are not as good as NVidia's.
 
Marvin, I am giving serious thought to the alternative you posted, thanks for the advice.

I have managed to get the cost of my spec down to £1,175 by shopping around a bit (Most still from OCUK ;p) and am under the impression that it is perhaps best to pay that little bit over my budget so I don't have to compromise.

Time for bed, a lot to sleep on. Tomorrow I will have a good look into the ATI 3D route as I'm not familiar with their approach then make up my mind.

All advice is much appreciated, and I will keep checking back for more and let you know how I go on!
 
I would just like to mention that after looking at the EVGA website and contacting OCUK, i have discovered that the warranty is for 10 years, lifetime warranty is for the US only.

10 Years is still plenty though.
 
I say forget about the gaming in 3D and save some money or spend it elsewhere like on a better ventilated case to accommodate that 470 etc, especially in this summer heat...
 
Nope.

But if you are buying from many different places, the postage can stack up, making it not worth it...
 
Marvin said:
But if you are buying from many different places, the postage can stack up, making it not worth it...
Click to expand...

Thankfully i can get everything from OCUK and one other place which has free postage. I'll get it ordered tonight. Thanks for everything, I will probably post a build log when it comes through, give my oppinions on the 3D etc.
 
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